Relations with China were the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy: PM Shehbaz
BEIJING, June 07 (SABAH): Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Friday met with Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid rich tribute to Chairman Zhao for his contributions to Chinese politics and society and congratulated him on successfully convening the annual session of the National People’s Congress. The Prime Minister noted Zhao Leji’s important position in the Communist Party of China (CPC) and National People’s Congress (NPC) which underlined the trust placed in him by the Chinese leadership and people. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that the relations with China were the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy. He noted that the unique and special relationship between our two countries was based on strategic trust, commonality of views, and practical cooperation.
Chairman Zhao Leji echoed the Prime Minister’s warm sentiments and noted that under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping, China was also committed to further solidifying the ‘All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership’ with Pakistan. The two sides reaffirmed support to each other’s core interests. They noted the positive momentum in high level exchanges and underscored the need to maintaining the momentum for further deepening of iron-clad friendship between the two countries.
Highlighting the important role of CPEC in Pakistan’s economic transformation, the Prime Minister noted that the high quality development under the CPEPC’s phase II would prioritize cooperation in the development of Special Economic Zones (SEZ’s), industries, IT, mines and minerals, agriculture and clean energy, among others. The two leaders agreed to promote engagement and cooperation between National People’s Congress and the Parliament of Pakistan. The Prime Minister proposed several initiatives to strengthen parliamentary exchanges, including enhancing interactions between the China- Pakistan Friendship Groups and exchanging delegations of young parliamentarians.
He also noted the importance of convening the next round of the Joint Consultative Mechanism Political Parties under the CPEC Chairman Zhao congratulated the Prime Minister on Pakistan’s election as the non-permanent member of UNSC for the term 2025-2026. Both leaders agreed that this offered an opportunity for the two countries to work together on questions of peace and promoting with law and multilateralism.